Improvement in lightning-rods



J. R..FRICKE.

Lightning Rod.

No. 111,052. Patented Jan. 17, 1871.

tflnitdi state JOSEPH R. FRIOKE, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

Letters Patent No. 111,052, dated January 17, 1871.

IMPROVEMENT IN LIGHTNING-RODS.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of thesame.

I, JOSEPH R. FRICKE, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, have invented certainImprovements in Lightning- Rods, of which the following is aspecification.

Nature and Objects of the Invention.

The first part of my invention relates to a mode of stiffeningcopper-wire cable lightning-rods, so that they will be sustained inupright projection'above their highest point of attachment to thebuilding to which they may be applied, and consists in inserting asuitable spiral-flanged coppencore or rod in that portion of the cablethat is to be stilfened.

The second part of my invention relates to themode of attaching orcoupling the usual points, to the core or rod, and consists in makingthe coupling-screw with a dovetail recess in its lower part, into whichrecess the end of the spiral-flanged rod or core is inserted, and lockedby bending the said s 'iiral-fiangcd rod into the dovetailed recesses onthe coupling.

Description of the Accompanying DNHIiH-f].

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a short piece ot'a wire cable rodmounted on a stitiening core, and embodying the other part of myinvention in the mode of attaching the point.

Figure 2 represents the coupling-screw, separate from all otherattachments.

Figure 3 represents an oblique perspective view of the same, moreclearly showing the dovetail.

Figure 4 represents a short piece of a flanged spiral rod or core towhich the coupling-screw has been attached.

Figure 5 is a section of the end of the core, showing by the full linesits original shape, and by the dotted lines x the'position of the spiralflanges, when bentdown, as at a :10, after being inserted in thecouplingpiece. 7

Like letters refer to the same parts in the draw ing.

0 represents the cable without any stii'lening;

y represents a spirally-grooved or flanged rod, which forms thestiffening core;

.7 is the dovetail on the coupling-piece; and

a represents the recess, into which the flanges are bent so as toform acounter-dovetail, and thus lock the coupling-piece, figs. 2 and 3, to.the core-rod, as shown at a a, figs l and 4.

In using the first part of my invention I take al'ourstrandedcopper-wire cable of suitable dimcnsionsaml.

conducting power, and a four-flanged spiral copperrod ot' suliicientlength to reach a foot or two below the highest attachment, and toextend the required height above the building; and I connect thisstillening rod to the cable by inserting it in the center of the cable,that is, by winding the separate strands of the cable in the grooves ofthe rod and for the entire length of the rod. I secure the ends of thestrands of the cable to the core byasuitablc copper-wire bimlingaroundall. v

My improved rod is attached to the bindings by any convenient form ofinsulator.

By my improvement, whatever of superiority is in the cable conductorover a solid rod in sections is socurcd throughout its entire length.

I am aware that other means of extending and stiffening the points ofcable conductors above the buildings have been employed. It has been thecustom to insert the cable in iron tubes; and also to terminate it belowthe top of the building and couple it with a solid rod, that wouldproject above the attachments; but those plans are objectionable asbeing thought to injuriously affect the conducting power of the cable asa whole.

The advantage of my improved mode of attaching the coupling-screw to thespiral-flanged rod is in the facilit-y with which a secure connectioncan thus be made.

Claims.

Having fully described my improvcmcnt;

1 claim as my inventiou 1. The combination, with a copper-wire cablelighthing-rod of a spirally-flanged core orstill'cner, the wholearranged and constructed substantially as herein set forth.

2. The dovetail connection between the end of the spiral rod and thecoupling-screw, when constructed as herein described and shown.

'Witnesses: JOSEPH It. FRIGKE.

A. PATTERSON, L. KLnn.

